The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PRSA) has directed private security companies to hand over all illegally detained personal documents belonging to security guards.

In a statement dated April 2, PRSA CEO Fazul Mohamed noted that his Authority had received complaints from security guards accusing private companies of illegally withholding their national IDs, academic certificates- among other personal documents.

In its response, the Authority has given such companies a 48-hours ultimatum to return the said documents.

Failure to comply with the directive, the statement adds, will lead to repercussions including cancellation of their licenses.

According to Fazul, withholding a person’s ID or any other personal document is a violation of the law, terms and conditions attached to the certificate of registration and the code of conduct for private security service providers. 

“ALL private security companies are hereby directed to immediately cease and desist from the aforementioned ILLEGALITY and to within the next 48 hours hand over ALL National IDs, academic certificates, and other essential personal documents to private security officers (security guards),” the statement read in part.

This measure, according to Fazul, is being enforced to address and rectify the unlawful retention of personal documents belonging to private security officers by security companies. 

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Fazul asks security guards to report employers

To ensure compliance with the directive, PRSA asked all security guards to report companies holding their IDs through its email ([email protected]) or via its WhatsApp number. 

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of all private security officers and eradicating any form of exploitation. 

“Any private security company that refuses, declines, and/or willfully fails to comply with this directive, COMMITS AN OFFENCE and shall in addition to cancellation of license, be liable to the penalty prescribed under the Act or any other written law whichever is higher,” PRSA added.

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Fazul Mohamed leads PRSA in pushing reforms

The Tuesday directive adds to the recent reforms in the private security sector spearheaded by the Fazul Mohamed-led Authority.

Some of the notable reforms pushed by the authority in the recent past include the push to adopt the minimum wage for all security officers capped at Ksh30,000 per month.

In addition, PRSA has rolled out a registration drive targeting all private security all private security officers including bouncers and security companies. 

The PRSA is a branch of the Ministry of Interior mandated to provide a framework for cooperation between the private security companies and the national security organs.